Bokeh Effect Card - Anything Goes Eclectic Ellapu

Over at Eclectic Ellapu we're having an Anything Goes challenge. Which are my favorite kind of challenges because I just get to let my creativity run.. or get stuck... it really depends on the day, doesn't it?

I decided to play around with a bokeh technique. It's not a technique that I've done before EVER. So I decided to take of my scaredy pants and give it a try. I recently got the ARTplorations Oh My Stars! stencil and I wanted to try to create a galaxy type feel.

The first thing I did was to smoosh Spun Sugar, Pink Raspberry, and Stormy Sky Distress Inks onto a craft mat and spritz with water. Then I dipped my paper into the mixture.

Doing this creates a really cool watercolor-esque inky background. I like to dip my card stock, dry it, dip it again, and maybe repeat up to 3 times to get a real depth of inky layers. 

Next, I used my stencil and sponged white ink. 

If you haven't done a bokeh effect before (and I'm assuming everyone else in the crafty world has and I'm just behind the times) the trick is to do varying intensities of the white and layer. Some of the stars I just sponged very lightly, some I sponged at medium intensity, and some I laid it on thick. 

That's a shot in process. I also sprayed some White Picket Fence Distress Spray Stain onto the background to give it more of that galaxy feel. 

Lastly, I added a matching sentiment (which says Reach for the Stars but I embossed it in silver and it was being a photographic nightmare) and some hanging stars, along with a little sequin dazzlement. 

I'm pretty pleased with my first bokeh attempt! The Eclectic Ellapu challenge runs all month long, so come show us what you've got!

Burgundy and Cream at Eclectic Ellapu

Hello my friends! I hope you are all enjoying this fine Superbowl Sunday (or whatever day you happen to be reading this, really). Since the Seahawks beat out my Packers, and there are too many smug Patriots fans in the area, I chose to root for the cheese dip because it's a surefire winner already. 

Today, I'm sharing my card I made for Eclectic Ellapu's February monthly challenge. EE has two challenge choices to choose from - I happen to be designing for the Pink Team Challenge, which is to use burgundy and cream. The Purple Team Challenge this month is Hearts and Roses. 

I went looking through my designer paper stash and, turns out, I have absolutely zero anything burgundy. Hmmmm - I will have to remedy that. But for today, I chose to get out my Spectrum Noir markers and color up some flowers from STAMPlorations Bloom Sketches. 

I was practicing my 3-shade blending technique and I have to say I'm quite pleased with how they came out. I loved their striking image so much that I didn't do much to the rest of the card and chose to leave it very clean and simple... a little off my usual beaten path. 

I blended the corners with vintage photo to give it a little bit more of an aged feel. 

Ecelectic Ellapu's challenge runs through the end of February, so head on over and play in either the Pink Team's Burgundy and Cream Challenge or

The Purple Team's Hearts and Roses Challenge. 

I can't wait to see what you create!

I'm also going to support the following challenges: 

Addicted to Stamps and More - Clean and Simple (I so rarely get to play!) 

Hiding in my Craft Room - Freestyle (anything goes)

Allsorts Challenge - Flower Power

Thanks for stopping by! I know I didn't get around to some blogs this weekend - we had guests and it was a busy, smiley time but I will absolutely do my best to make it up to you! :) I'll be getting around shortly.